Rabbi Mendy's Blog

Fear can be paralyzing. No matter our intellect, talent, or strength, fear can often stop us in our tracks, preventing us from moving forward on our journey. How do we face this truth and move past it when so much of the world seems stacked against us? How do we quiet the fear inside of us so we can proudly and boldly continue illuminating the world as we're designed to do? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Shelach, where we learn one of the most tragic stories in the Torah: the sin of the spies. Twelve leaders were sent to scout the Land of Israel, but only ten of them returned with a fear-filled report. Despite witnessing miracles in Egypt, such as the splitting of the sea and receiving daily sustenance from Heaven, these men allowed fear to cloud their judgment. "We cannot go up," they cried, "for they are stronger than we." Their fear led to national despair, and that moment changed the course of Jewish history for an entire generation.

Fear isn't just an emotion; it's a lens that can distort reality. The spies weren't lying; they were interpreting what they saw through a lens of self-doubt, insecurity, and dread. Their fear made them forget Hashem's promise. It made them forget their mission. It made them forget who they were.

Today, we find ourselves facing a different kind of battle—but the challenge of fear is no less real. Since October 7th, Israel has been thrust into a painful and critical conflict. The Jewish people are standing up to defend themselves, to destroy evil, and to restore safety to their homeland and dignity to our nation. And just like in the desert, voices of fear creep in—fear of international opinion, fear of making mistakes, fear of standing alone. Now, we are confronting the evil menace to the east, and missiles are raining down on our Mishpacha; it's normal to be afraid. 

But the lesson is clear: fear can paralyze us from fulfilling our destiny. The Jewish people are not just fighting a political battle—they are fighting a moral one. They are removing evil from the world, defending innocent lives, and standing up for truth. In moments like this, we cannot afford to be swayed by fear of what the world will say. We cannot be intimidated into silence or retreat. Like Yehoshua and Calev, the two spies who remained faithful, we must say with conviction: "The Land is very, very good… Hashem is with us. Do not fear."

Now is the time for unity. The Jewish people must stand strong and stand together. We must believe in our mission, in our purpose, and in Hashem's promise. The world needs the light we bring, and that light shines brightest when we are fearless, proud, and united.

Let us not repeat the mistake of the spies. Let us move forward with courage, faith, and strength., and we will all merit to be reunited with our promised land of Israel in true peace and the coming of Moshiach, amen!

We find ourselves glued to the news, waiting with bated breath, hoping and praying for military success and the obliteration of the Iranian regime whose stated principle is the destruction of Israel and annihilation of our people. But we find ourselves thousands of miles away; what can we do to help? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Behaaloscha. There, we learn about the Mitzvah of "Second Passover." A year after the Exodus from Egypt, Moses is confronted by a group of people who missed the opportunity to bring the Passover sacrifice on Passover evening. They lament their misfortune and ask for a second chance to get this once-a-year offering. Moshe, in turn, asks Hashem and is introduced to a new tradition, known as the "second Passover," to be held thirty days after the first one, on which anyone who missed bringing the sacrifice is afforded a second chance. 

A closer examination of the dialogue reveals that G-d's response extended beyond Moshe's request. Moses asked for a second chance for ritually impure people, a condition often due to no fault of his own. Understandably, these people might deserve another crack at this Mitzvah. But G-d extends the opportunity to those who took a trip away from the camp and, with poor planning, missed Passover. You might think these people were far away and therefore forfeited the chance to support their people and experience Passover at the Temple. You'd be wrong. Though you may have been far physically, you are and always will be inextricably connected to your people, so here's a second chance to reconnect with them. 

For many of us, we love Israel but can often feel disconnected from what is transpiring halfway around the globe. Perhaps in the past, we neglected to fully support our homeland. No matter what our previous behaviors, even if we allowed ourselves to become far emotionally and intellectually from Israel, we are still united with each other and with our homeland. Today, we are being given a second chance to show our love for our Holyland by doing an extra Mitzvah, saying a prayer, and advocating for our brothers and sisters. Now, we have a second chance to be strong, proud, and bright as we redouble our efforts to banish darkness and illuminate our world. 

G-d is telling us that distance doesn't matter; no matter how far you've been, it's time for you to come back home. Your people and your homeland need you now. We're one; together, we will overcome this evil just as we've done so many times before.